This is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, reflecting the vineyard plantings. Violets and that trademark degraded red berry fruit on the nose, detailed by thyme, rosemary and sweet spices, then dark rocky minerality and bitter chocolate. The palate is brightly red-fruited, dense and impressively charged, with fine chalky nuance emerging as it progresses. The initial sense of fruit-driven power recedes towards the back-palate, which has a quiet focus at its core and a mineral bedrock which speaks of the vineyard’s cool clay-limestone soils. This is being aged in 100% new oak but as always, it is quite beautifully, harmoniously integrated.